The Legal practitioner Tolu Babaleye has written to President Bola Tinubu, seeking clarification on the status of Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, who has reached both the mandatory retirement age of 60 in the Nigerian police.
In his letter dated September 17, 2024, written through Tolu Babaleye & Co., the lawyer expressed surprise that Egbetokun, now statutorily a civilian, is still presenting himself as the top police officer in Nigeria.
Mr Fagbemi steps in to clarife in a statement on Thursday that Mr Egbetokun’s continued stay in office is legal contrary to assertions that he should no longer remain in office having attained the retirement age of 60.
The clarification came amid proseution of rights activist Omoyele Sowore by the police for referring to Mr Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP”.
The attorney-general, who was apparently responding to Mr Sowore’s claim, which was fast gaining traction since his prosecution began, admitted that Mr Egbetokun ought to have left office in September 2024 when he attained 60 years but for an amendment to the Police Act.
Mr Fagbemi said the amendment secured a four-year tenure for the occupant of the IGP office.
“The appointment of Egbetokun which took effect from 31st day of October 2023 would have come to an end on his attainment of 60 years of age on 4th day of September 2024,” Mr Fagbemi wrote in a statement on Thursday.
He added, “However, before his retirement age, the Police Act was amended to allow the occupant of the office to remain and complete the original four-year term granted under Section 7 (6) of the Act, notwithstanding the fact that he has attained the age of 60 years.”
The referenced section 7(6) of the Act states that “any person appointed to the office of the Inspector-General of Police shall hold office for four years.”
